Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said he is convinced that what is now happening in Ukraine is a coup attempt.
“The building of the Cabinet of Ministers is under siege and the building of the Lviv region’s administration has been taken over. The people who are fighting against us are militants, not the opposition. These are different things. It’s a real coup attempt, and everyone who backs this coup should clearly say ‘Yes, we support the overthrowing of the lawful administration in Ukraine,’ instead of hiding behind peaceful protesters. The line was crossed when the so-called peaceful protesters started using ‘Molotov cocktails and taking over state buildings,” Azarov told reporters in Davos, responding to a question as to whether the current actions taken by the opposition interfere with the work of the Ukrainian administration.
Azarov also said he is convinced that it is absolutely unrealistic to hold early presidential elections in Ukraine now.
“It’s absolutely unrealistic because the next elections are due in less than a year. Do you think we can hold elections when the central part of Kyiv has virtually been occupied by militants? What elections can we talk about when people are rioting?” he said.
Azarov reiterated that it is necessary to first stabilize the situation in the country and return to normal life.
“Then we can speak about anything, and now the first thing we need to do is organize normal life in the country,” Azarov said.
